Friday, February 18, 2011

Juggling and struggling

Country Life is finally finished. I have joked that I started this back in the 80's, and actually it was late last summer. There were so many times that I wanted to put it aside and start something new, but I'm glad I persevered. I have the most enabling bunch of friends (you know who you are!) and I can be easily pulled off in another direction. I did chart and stitch Maria Tilley in between though. The hardest part will be the framing since it's so long and awkward. I have a wonderful burled wood frame that will work great. You should be able to click on the picture and see it bigger. (Nope, it didn't work for me, I'm definitely in need of a blog overhaul.) I had a doozy of a time photographing it. I had to lay it on the floor and stand on a chair to capture it all.

I feel like I'm struggling and juggling to get to all the things that I want to accomplish. We all have overflowing stashes with samplers that are waiting in the wings. Then there's the new stuff coming to tempt us from the Nashville market. Adding to that, I've started charting my antique Sarah Elizabeth, plus I want to design a sampler, and I still want to play with wool. I'm overwhelmed by my desires. Sounds like a cheesy line in a hopelessly romantic novel, doesn't it?

I literally woke up this morning and my very first thought was to start Sophia's Sampler from Scarlet Letter today. Seriously, the world is in total chaos and this is my first thought? Sad...but true. My pal, Sandra has stitched Sophia. I watched and drooled over her progress forever. I'm going to do mine on 40ct. vintage Lentil that has a lot of mottling. I think the colors in her are great. There's a bit of free-hand stitching and I haven't done much of that on samplers. It'll be a challenge.
This sweet little sampler was stitched by nine year old Emma Mills in 1839. It is now hanging in our guest bathroom. I treated myself to her for Valentine's Day. It was hard to get a good photo through the glass, but I plan to reproduce her this year.


Thank you so very much for the comments and congratulations on the birth of little Rowan.

27 comments:

Margaret said...

Congrats on Country Life! So pretty! See, what happened with you and Sophia's Sampler is exactly why I never plan on what I'm stitching next. I always have to go with the flow -- just like you did with Sophia. I've always loved Sophia, but I'm still afraid of the freehand. I'll enjoy watching you! Good luck with everything! Love Emma!

Deb said...

Congratulations on Country Life. It came out great!! It was well worth the effort!! It always seems like something takes forever - probably because we want out things finished so we can go on to the next.

Sophia's Sampler is a wonderful sampler. I remember watching Sandra's progress on it and thinking that I'd never be able to do something like that. I look forward to seeing your progress. It's going to so wonderful when finished.

Erica said...

Congrats on finishing Country Life!
It is just beautiful, as are all your samplers!

merumo said...

Congrats to your Country Life finish! It's beautiful!! And I like Sophia's Sampler a lot :) Very pretty girl. I know, it's hard to choose the next to play with as we all know we are going to see a lot of new goodies next week. I'm like you, I want to stitch, play with wools and quilting, too!! Very busy bees flying around.

samplerlover said...

Hi Tanya, Congratulations on finishing your Country Life. It is a lovely sampler. Framing issues is the reason why I have never done it. It is always hard to find a long thin frame without getting one made.
You will enjoy working on Sophia. The freehand embroidery on this one is quite easy and I don't think you will have any problems once you start it. I always call this one my "stunned Mullet" sheep sampler. - Sandra.

Glenna said...

LOL--I'm picturing you up on a chair photographing Country Life, which is absolutely gorgeous. I'm looking forward to seeing you stitch Sophia, but most of all, I'm looking forward to the things you chart for us to stitch!

Nancy in WI said...

Your Country Life looks great Tanya! Don't you just hate all that tugging this way and that? Soon you will be whipping it all out....we have faith in you!

gracie said...

lovely lovely lovely.....

Love to Stitch said...

Your Country Life is fabulous! Great job in sticking with it. Love Sophias sampler too- I have her in the wings as well. So many options, so little time!!!!!!!

Deborah said...

Country Life is just beautiful!

Daniela said...

Congratulation on finishing your Country Life Sampler. It looks stunning.

I know what you mean with wanting to do all those things at the same time. It's the same to me. I am very excited to see the sampler you are going to design by yourself.
I've just started designing a piece myself and it is a lot of fun.

Siobhán said...

Congratulations on the finish! WahOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! It looks great. I love that your waking thought was about Sophia's Sampler. Truthfully, I think stitching is a wonderful escape from the realities of the world. I can't solve the world's problems, but at least I can make MY world a bit prettier with each stitch I take. Or so I hope, anyway. ;) I will be anxiously watching your experience with freehand stitching--I have a few samplers that I want to do but am afraid to attempt because of the freehand. Love your Valentine's gift to yourself!

Bertie said...

Country Life looks stunning Tanya:))
Wow Sophia looks gorgeous too, quite unusual and a challenge with the freehand, will have to follow you closely.
Great to treat yourself for Valentine, it's a beauty:))
Oh yes Nashville, I only looked at the BBD stuff, there is no room in my house for the rest LOL.

Brigitte said...

Oh my, what a beauty you finished. It looks gorgeous. Congratulations. I'm looking forward to seeing your next start. Sophia and Emma are both very beautiful samplers.
Being torn between all the desires that we have with our hobby is such a well known feeling. Big sigh ...

Anonymous said...

Country Life is so beautiful!! I love the colors and know the frame you chose will definitely make this one of your most beautiful finishes. Love Sofia and look forward to your progress. Maybe you can give us a lesson on freehand when your finished. I'm like Margaret - a bit afraid of it. XXs are the limit of my skill!!!! Love Emma and look forward to seeing her charted. Hugs and blessings - kelley

Cari said...

Oh my gosh...Country Life is stunning. Your work is just over the top!! I love this piece and have enjoyed watching your progress. I'll be watching your progress on all of your new ventures. Hugs and have a great week!

Sherry said...

Congratulations on the finish of Country Life. Just beautiful! I love Sophia and can't wait to watch your progress. You have alot planned and I will be anxious to see it all.

Fiona said...

Well done on finishing Country Life, it looks great. Your next sampler looks really nice, look forward to watching your progress on it.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Stunning, just stunninng!

My oh my, is that a big sampler!

The Scarlet Letter one is gorgeous too. I love the muted shades in those.

Jennifer

Loraine said...

What a wonderful sampler. I just love the colors and the fact that it's horizontal. You definitely should pat yourself on the back for sticking with it.
I can't wait to see progress on Sophia's Sampler. Really pretty, as are all the samplers you do.
I feel pulled in every which creative direction as well. It's hard not to when there are so many choices to pursue. This is probably why I'm not very good at keeping on task, and have way to many WIP's going! It's all good right?
Take care and have a great week.

Katrina said...

Love, love, love Country Life, it's gorgeous and congrats on the finish. Can't wait to watch your progress on Sophia too :-).

I think it's wonderful you have so many things you want to do. Hope you find balance and accomplish lots!!!!

Sue said...

Country Life is so beautiful, I don't see who the designer is, can you let me know? Thanks.

Michelle said...

Congrats on finishing Country Life! Woohoo!!!! And I can't wait to see more of Sophia. I'm so excited for your repros - love the Valentine's gift!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Country Life is just gorgeous, Tanya! I love the Sophia sampler and will really enjoy watching your progress on it. I love the colors in it and have looked at it quite a few times on-line trying to decide whether or not to order it. You may just put me over the edge (Sandra nearly did it to me!).

Good luck getting to all your wonderful goals!

Dona said...

I just don't get tired of seeing your CL! It's so charming! And wide!

The colors in Sophia's Sampler are gorgeous and the two little sheep are too cute.

I know you will find a way to get it all done!

Karoline said...

Congratulations on finishing Country Life, it's gorgeous.

I look forward to seeing your progress on Sophia

xlpharmacy said...

I am glad that you have a great time there. I know that it is quite hard to stay with your decision but at least it is a good thing to do.